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Catch a Rising Star Show

Comedian Chris Rock did not come to Tucson because he liked the weather. Hip-hop musician Wyclef didn't perform in Tucson because he has family here. And pop artist Moby isn't coming on April 24 because he really likes the cuisine.

All of these performers came because of a group of hard-working student volunteers on campus, formally known as Rising Star Entertainment.

Part of the University Activities Board, Rising Star Entertainment's office is located in the Student Union, right past the Domino's on the first floor.

It is in this office, which is actually a small cubicle, that Rising Star operates from.

Far from the stereotypical glamorous entertainment scene, the space is donned with promotional stickers of bands like Lit and Garbage. Performance flyers adorn the wall beside the desk like trophies from years of work.

Patrick Boyle, a media arts junior, joined Rising Star as a freshman when he saw a flyer in his classroom. Almost three years later, he is the assistant director with more responsibilities.

"I started out as a lowly committee member, doing security at shows and doing the flyers," he said. "Now, I've learned how to call agents and booking my own shows."

One of Boyle's latest responsibilities is preparing the April 24 MTV-sponsored forum on the University of Arizona Mall. These will include a booth for MTV veejay auditions, a House of Style booth and a booth with professional disc jockey lessons.

Janis Gallego, a journalism sophomore, says the mission of Rising Star is to "provide large venues for the campus."

Acting as the promotions director, Gallego said the job is a lot of work, but the behind-the-scenes interaction has kept her hooked for three years.

"I do it because I love the music business. I want to eventually go into the field of the music business, and this is good experience," Gallego said.

Gallego, who has met Garbage, Lit and Chris Rock, mentioned that the perk of meeting the performers also adds to the passion for the job.

Jake McLaughlin, a communications senior, acts as an assistant director and actually got introduced to Rising Star because he was performing in UAB's Eat to the Beat and in the Cellar.

McLaughlin said in terms of learning about the entertainment business, Rising Star is the only way to gain access to that information on campus.

"The U of A doesn't offer any programs in this area, so this is the only place you can learn about this. But through this, the U of A has sent me to conferences in San Francisco, Boston and Utah where they teach you about stage production and lights," McLaughlin said.

Rising Star director, Madaline Thompson, an English junior, said time management is a relevant issue for the students in Rising Star and that she personally can spend up to 25 hours a week working on shows.

"It can be difficult being a student at the same time you're putting things together. If (agents) need to get a hold me, and I'm in class, it can be frustrating," Thompson said.

Indicative of her time commitment, Thompson said she attended a meeting concerning Spring Fling - an event in which Rising Star will be arranging for 25 local acts. One week later they have the big task of the Bush and Moby Campus Invasion Tour.

Because the students in Rising Star do not get paid, their motivation comes from within and from each other.

"We really get our strengths from our committee," Thompson said.

If anyone has any questions for Rising Star Entertainment, they can be reached at 621-2262 or in room 101 of the Memorial Student Union.